Land-use Delay Holds Up Scripps Schedule

Hampered by hurricanes and permit hold-ups, Scripps Florida is unlikely to meet the Jan. 3 start of construction for months cited as a stringent deadline.

On Tuesday, the state Department of Community Affairs told Palm Beach County it would not approve key land-use changes the county needs to move the biotech project forward. The department blamed the trouble on"a procedural oversight," but it's enough to put yet another hitch in the project.

County officials on Tuesday were confident they could clear up the problem, win the needed state approvals and move the project forward by mid-December. In fact, the state's proposal for dealing with the issue works out well for the county, Scripps Program Manager Bevin Beaudet said.

Still, Beaudet said he will tell The Scripps Research Institute executives the county expects a 60- to 90-day delay. Currently, Beaudet said the project is about 30 days behind schedule.

Palm Beach County's contract with the California-based biotech research giant allows for delays due to government regulation or litigation.

Scripps General Counsel Doug Bingham declined to comment on a potential 60- to 90-day delay because the county has yet to inform him of it, he said. Scripps has been proceeding as if construction still is on schedule, he said.

"We've worked really hard to recruit an outstanding faculty and staff and build momentum right now," Bingham said. "But little potholes like this are unfortunate and hurt the momentum. Certainly, I don't think it was intentional."

Beaudet said he will inform Scripps in writing this week.

Cadence Mertz can be reached at camertz@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6611.